Wednesday, 03 November 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
Seemingly hurt by the episode on Monday when he was stopped by some Teerth Purohits from visiting Kedarnath temple the former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said on Tuesday that everyone has a right to pay obeisance in the court of god and no one should be stopped from visiting the temple. He however added that he has no ill will towards those who blocked his way and would pray that god forgives them for this act.
Talking to The Pioneer at his residence, Rawat said that not only he but lakhs who have got information about the incident are sad and many of them have said that they are feeling ashamed. The former CM who was instrumental in bringing the Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board Act said that better management of the Char Dhams was needed in view of an ever increasing number of pilgrims. He said that those who have seen the 2013 disaster can understand the scale of works undertaken in Kedarnath. He said that majestic Ghats, Parikrama Path, bridges, grand statue of Adi Shankaracharya and other activities were undertaken in Kedarnath.
Similarly, the houses of priests and stakeholders were constructed and projects worth Rs 400 crore were undertaken in an area which is only about 15 acres. “Prime Minister Modi has shown his faith by visiting Kedarnath five times. The faith of people in Kedarnath is increasing and it is proved by the fact that now about 19,000 pilgrims are visiting the temple in a day as compared to 5,000 two- three years ago. The number of pilgrims is slated to increase further in the coming years. In such a condition we need better management and for this purpose the act was brought,’’ he said.
On the question of possible repeal of the act by the government and his stand, Rawat made it clear that the act was brought not by him but by the whole government and the cabinet. “My stand on the issue would remain unchanged. It is what it was in the beginning and will remain so in the future too,’’ he stressed.
